American Immigration Policy 2000-2014

George W Bush

George W Bush's presidency

2001 - 2009

DREAM Act introduced; failed

August 1 2001

(Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) - "Immigrant Children's Educational Advancement and Dropout Prevention Act of 2001".
Allows undocumented high school graduates and GED recipients US citizenship through college or armed services

9/11 Attacks - start of 'global war on terrorism'

September 11 2001

Patriot Act

October 26 2001

Homeland Security Act 2002

2002

Visa Entry Reform Act 2002

2002

US Visa program; biometric data.

National Security Entry-Exit Registration System 2002

September 2002

Non-citizen post-16 males
List of 25 nationalities
This system has two separate components: port-of-entry registration and domestic registration. In each case, those who register are fingerprinted, photographed, and interrogated. They are required to provide detailed information about their plans and to update Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if their plans change. They are only permitted to enter and depart the U.S. through designated ports of entry.

Security Fence Act 2006

Built 700 miles of physical barriers along the US/Mexico border
More vehicle barriers & checkpoints
Congress funded $1.2bn (criticised for being too little)

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act DEFEATED TWICE

June 7, 2007 - June 27, 2007

It envisaged a legislative program for illegal immigrants and the establishment of a guest worker program.

2014: 11.4million illegal immigrants in US

04/09/2014

Barack Obama

DREAM Act reintroduced as separate legislation

2008 - April 2009

Opportunity for citizenship for "aliens" in military/education

Defeated twice

Launch of Obama's immigration reform plan

2009

With six sections - designed to have "something for everyone"

Obama's Presidency

2009 - 04/09/2014

Incumbent

Arizona SB 1070

April 23 2010

"Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act"

Makes being an illegal immigrant a state crime (provision removed in 2012)
Makes hiring an illegal immigrant a state crime (only in federal courts; Arizona v US 2012)
Allowed state law enforcement to check for immigration status without cause for arrest (can only check migration status during normal police work - AvUS 2012)

"Backdoor Amnesty"

2011 - 2014

A series of policies and cases that result in Obama's allowance of immigrants without an illegal background - only those with criminal background or records.
'Deportation cases closed by 'prosecutorial discretion' up 70%' 2014; WND Politics

The bill would make it possible for many undocumented immigrants to gain legal status and eventually citizenship. It would also make the border more secure by adding up to 40,000 border patrol agents. It also advances talent-based immigration through a points-based immigration system.